Pagan was a gifted vocalist. His light, floating tenor was as serenading as Smokey Robinson's, but more ardent when he came down from the clouds. His melodious crooning got some chart action on a remake of Bread's "Make It With You" (1971) for Wand Records (Fania contracted with Wand during this period). Two years later, he scored a minor charter with "Soul Je T'aime" with Sylvia Robinson (now there's a duet made in heaven) on Robinson's Vibration label; but its success was modest at number 39 R&B and 99 pop on Billboard. Other singles include "Didn't Want to Have to Do It," "Just for a Little While," and "Come Back Baby."
In addition to the four Fania albums, he had an obvious hand in Ralfi Pagan Presents Johnny Nelson, which is quite an item among collectors; Low Profile Records also reissued his second Fania album, Ralfi Pagan With Love. Examples of Pagan's haunting vocals can be found on ITP Records' East Side Classics series.
El Hijo De Mamá
Ralfi Pagan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
UH LA LA, EL HIJO DE MAMÁ, AMOR, AMOR, AMOR, AMOR, PERDÓNAME POR SER EL HOMBRE QUE YO SOY AMOR,
AY, AY, AY, AY, AY, AY, AY, AY,
AMOR, AMOR, AMOR, EL HIJO DE MAMÁ
YO SOY EL HIJO DE MAMÁ,
EL HIJO DE MAMÁ, LO SIENTO, NO PUEDO (venir),
NO ENCUENTRO,
NO ENCUENTRO CÓMO DECIR, MI MAMÁ ESTÁ ("enfogoná"),
LE HAN DICHO QUE CONTIGO ME HAN VISTO
AMOR, AMOR, AMOR, AMOR,
EL HIJO DE MAMÁ
YO SOY EL HIJO DE MAMÁ,
EL HIJO DE MAMÁ UH LA LA,
EL HIJO DE MAMÁ MIRA MUCHACHITA,
OLVÍDATE DE MÍ, LO SIENTO, LO SIENTO, LO SIENTO, NO ENCUENTRO CÓMO DECIR,
MI MAMÁ NO ME DEJA SALIR, AY AY AY AY AY AY
The song "El Hijo De Mama" by Ralfi Pagan is a sorrowful expression of the singer's love for a girl who he is unable to be with due to his overprotective mother. The chorus, which repeats the phrase "uh la la, el hijo de mama" several times, expresses Pagan's acknowledgment that he is still very much dependent on his mother. The phrase is also a celebration of mama's love - a love that is both comforting and suffocating.
Throughout the song, Pagan apologizes for the person he has become and acknowledges that he has not been able to be the type of man his love interest deserves. He is sorry for the limitations placed upon him by his mother and the ways in which those limitations have affected his life. The lines "amor, amor, amor, amor, perdóname por ser el hombre que yo soy amor" exemplify this sentiment.
The song's overall mood is one of resignation to the circumstances of Pagan's life, but it is not without hope. He seeks to be understood by his love interest, asking her to forget about him, not because he doesn't care, but because he simply cannot be the kind of partner she needs at this time. The song is a beautifully tragic exploration of the complexities of familial love and the difficulties that arise when those bonds conflict with romantic love.
Line by Line Meaning
UH LA LA, EL HIJO DE MAMÁ,
The singer is introducing himself as the son of his mother, which may have certain implications.
AMOR, AMOR, AMOR, AMOR, PERDÓNAME POR SER EL HOMBRE QUE YO SOY AMOR,
The singer is apologetic for being the person he is, despite the love he feels for someone else. He hopes to be forgiven.
AY, AY, AY, AY, AY, AY, AY, AY,
The singer is expressing a sense of distress or pain, which he might feel as a result of his complicated situation.
EL HIJO DE MAMÁ
The artist reiterates that he is the son of his mother.
YO SOY EL HIJO DE MAMÁ,
The artist reminds the listener that he is indeed the son of his mother, despite the conflict that may arise from it.
LO SIENTO, NO PUEDO (venir),
The singer expresses regret, indicating that he cannot come to his intended destination.
NO ENCUENTRO,
The singer is struggling to find a solution to his current predicament.
NO ENCUENTRO CÓMO DECIR, MI MAMÁ ESTÁ ("enfogoná"),
The artist admits that he may not know how to properly communicate with his mother, who may be very upset about the artist's actions.
QUIZÁ NO ME DEJA SALIR PORQUE LE HAN DICHO QUE CONTIGO ME HAN VISTO
The artist speculates that his mother might be keeping him from leaving because she has heard rumors about him being with someone she disapproves of.
MIRA MUCHACHITA, OLVÍDATE DE MÍ, LO SIENTO, LO SIENTO, LO SIENTO, NO ENCUENTRO CÓMO DECIR,
The artist is telling his love interest to forget about him, because he cannot figure out a way to be with her given his current circumstances. He expresses regret for not being able to communicate more effectively.
MI MAMÁ NO ME DEJA SALIR, AY AY AY AY AY AY
The singer is again emphasizing that he is unable to leave, likely because of his mother's disapproval or control over his actions.
Contributed by Christian T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jay Fit Health & Wellness
I'm only 23 and I've been collecting oldies since i was 15. ANd I know my oldies very well. One thing I can say is that our music now a days is carbon copy. Ralfi Pagan will for ever live in my collection. REal soulful latin jam for everyone to enjoy!
Joe Sena
Orale youngster
gary
woah this was 11 years ago
Jervin Favela
Damn g 12 years later where you at now
bankenickel
My uncle used to party with Ralfi back in the days , he came over to my grandmas pad in mar vista gardens waaaay back. RIP to a true legend
keiven osorio
wow are you serious?? does he have any relative's? im from the bronx ny in the same borough he grew ul
jbird Perez
marvista garden .. culver city ?
Raul Ruiz
My son Frankie passed away ,82nd airborne.he always said he was his mamas son.this song hits home like you can't believe!!.hejo de mama
Patricia Ford
He was in the Fania label, with the rest of the great ones, that's what trips me out everytime.
Sluggish Princess
Wow